Dr Hugh Spencer, director of Cape Tribulation Tropical Research Station has found the line of forest between reef and rainforest in Far North Queensland, is being destroyed by coconut palms that constantly dump fruit and fronds on them.

Coconuts left to rot on the ground also collect water, providing perfect breeding grounds for the dengue-carrying mosquito.

In a bid to save our native flora, Dr Spencer and a group of volunteers have taken it upon themselves to regularly remove juvenile palms by hand.